Which direction is "correct" for a single-throw switch?

[Antonio]

There is a simple reason why 'Down=ON' is used, or in the case of rocker switches 'Bottom In = On'.

Consider that most domestic wall sockets are below eye level. When this convention is used a hidden section of the switch becomes exposed to the observer looking down on it and this newly exposed portion can (does in many cases in the UK) carry a warning (coloured RED or the word 'ON' in red) , indicating that the circuit is now LIVE.

[chalsall]

Originally Posted by retina

Why must it be up-vs-down. Throw those switches side-to-side and then there would be less argument.

Ah, but then is right on, or left? Personally we have several "gang" switches in our house, and they're configured for right is on.

Originally Posted by retina

If you have a screwdriver then a few minutes work could ease your frustrations.

That's what I'm doing... We're "snagging" the electrical in our house, and I told our electricians that all switches should be "up for on" (except, again, in 3-way configurations). They looked at me as if I was mad, and said that if an electrical inspector saw that they would tell you to reverse it. "Tell, or recommend?" "Um, recommend." "Good," I said, "because for most people up is on." They didn't believe me, and said that probably 99% of all switches in Barbados are down for on.

Barbados is a weird mixture of influences. Heavy British heritage (naturally), but we follow the US of A's National Electrical Code (NEC). Our grid is 50 Hz, but at 115 / 230 -- messes up quite a bit of electrical kit!

[only_human]

Originally Posted by retina

Why must it be up-vs-down. Throw those switches side-to-side and then there would be less argument.If you have a screwdriver then a few minutes work could ease your frustrations.

Which direction should a dimmer switch be rotated? Is this tyranny against lefties?

[xilman]

Originally Posted by LaurV

Up=ON is the "correct" way, for many reasons.

Who cares, IMAO?

A second's experimentation will work out the local convention. If you can't remember it after that perhaps you should have a check for incipient dementia. If you remember, that is.

[only_human]

Originally Posted by xilman

Who cares, IMAO?

A second's experimentation will work out the local convention. If you can't remember it after that perhaps you should have a check for incipient dementia. If you remember, that is.

Light switches challenge us in our weakest moments: stumbling in the dark, blind drunk, grouchy and tired, preparing for a workday while missing cylinders.

Not that this couldn't be applied to the correct way of driving...

[Chuck]

Anyone remember when you used to buy wall switches that contained a bead of mercury for absolutely silent operation? They were plainly marked as to which end was to be physically UP when installed, and UP was ON.

[xilman]

Originally Posted by only_human

Light switches challenge us in our weakest moments: stumbling in the dark, blind drunk, grouchy and tired, preparing for a workday while missing cylinders.

Even in the dark, a 1-bit exhaustive search doesn't take long. Neither does it remain dark for long.

[only_human]

Originally Posted by only_human

Light switches challenge us in our weakest moments: stumbling in the dark, blind drunk, grouchy and tired, preparing for a workday while missing cylinders.

Not that this couldn't be applied to the correct way of driving...

Originally Posted by xilman

Even in the dark, a 1-bit exhaustive search doesn't take long. Neither does it remain dark for long.

You try solving a 1-bit problem while you are stumbling in the dark, blind drunk, grouchy and tired and getting ready for work with misfiring cylinders.

I'll have you know that while inserting my first pair of contact lenses for the first time a fairly large earthquake occurred. Since I getting ready for work and quite pressured for time, panic set in as I had dropped one of the lenses over the sink that I was leaning over to near sightedly insert them while using a medicine cabinet mirror. After several minutes of searching fruitlessly, I gave up and turned on the water to wash my hands whereupon I heard a crackling sound which was my dried contact lens on the hot water knob cracking and tearing.

Another time I accidentally brushed my teeth with head-and-shoulders dandruff shampoo.

And now a 1-bit problem is added to the test! I didn't study for that.

[Nick]

This thread is starting to rival the "which direction is correct for the airport luggage carousel" website:

http://www.dullmensclub.com/archive/airport.htm

[only_human]

Originally Posted by Nick

This thread is starting to rival the "which direction is correct for the airport luggage carousel" website:

http://www.dullmensclub.com/archive/airport.htm

If you want real disagreement, ask a few people the proper way to load a dishwasher (i.e. big pans, silverware)

[chalsall]

Originally Posted by Antonio

There is a simple reason why 'Down=ON' is used, or in the case of rocker switches 'Bottom In = On'.

Consider that most domestic wall sockets are below eye level. When this convention is used a hidden section of the switch becomes exposed to the observer looking down on it and this newly exposed portion can (does in many cases in the UK) carry a warning (coloured RED or the word 'ON' in red) , indicating that the circuit is now LIVE.

You know, that's the first explanation for why "Down" would be considered "On" that makes sense to me.

But... to North Americans, the idea of having a switch on an electrical outlet is extremely strange. As do the HUGE plugs used (sometimes with fuses built in).

I understand the reasoning -- 230V is WAY more dangerous than 110V / 115V / 120V (trust me, I know -- I've been shocked by all four at different times in my life). But, admittedly, higher voltages are more efficient in transmission and distribution.

(A quick amusing aside, if I may... I once came home from work and my (ex)wife accused me of having an affair because I wasn't wearing my wedding ring. I pulled it out of my back pocket and put it on, explained that I had been working on live circuits that day and didn't want to risk have the ring accidentally short out a circuit, weld itself to the equipment, superheat, and then amputate my finger. She didn't believe me; I can laugh about it now.... )